NSDC, Lee Group Launch Multi-Million Dollar Sugar Project

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has partnered with Lee Group, owners of GNAL Sugar, to launch a multi-million-dollar sugar project in Niger State.

The project is part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported sugar, grow local production and create jobs across the agricultural value chain.
NSDC Executive Secretary, Kamar Bakrin, said the council is linking credible investors with state governments while supporting land access, infrastructure and regulatory coordination needed for large-scale sugar production.

“This partnership is about building sustainable investment that benefits both Niger State and Nigeria,” Bakrin said.
Governor Umar Bago pledged full support, offering suitable land and highlighting the state’s vast farmland, water resources and policy backing for agribusiness.
“Niger State is open to serious investors. We have the land, water and political will to grow our economy and create jobs,” the governor said.

Lee Group Project Director, Lam Wing Ki Wilkins, said the company’s six decades of agro-industrial experience will be deployed to build a sustainable sugar operation in partnership with the state and NSDC.

Why This Project Matters
• Cuts Sugar Imports: Nigeria spends billions yearly importing sugar. Local production could save foreign exchange.
• Creates Jobs: Large-scale sugar estates generate employment in farming, processing and logistics.
• Boosts Food Security: Expanding domestic production strengthens Nigeria’s agricultural resilience.

Niger State, Nigeria’s largest by landmass, is considered ideal for sugarcane cultivation. NSDC studies identified about 1.2 million hectares nationwide suitable for sugar development, with Niger ranked among the top states. The state already hosts Golden Sugar Company in Mokwa, owned by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc.
The new project follows a similar NSDC-facilitated investment in Jalingo, Taraba State, in November 2025, part of a broader plan to attract credible investors and grow Nigeria’s sugar industry.